etrayalogs | APRIL MINGLE

APRIL MINGLE

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: April 25th - Early May
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: The arrival of newcomers, spring activities, and feathered friends!
NOTES\WARNINGS:

⏵ arrival ⏴
Welcome to Etraya!

Arrival goes as expected - characters awaken on hospital beds and are offered an explanation of their situation: that they have arrived in the city of Etraya, and they are their world's only hope. They are welcome to wander the hospital if they would like to - the upper floors are mostly empty, full of pristine hallways and numerous rooms filled with supplies, cots, and things one would expect from a relatively average 21st-century hospital.

However, if they are arriving from Aphaia, it's a little different, though mostly through means and familiarity. They will still show up in the hospital of course, but how can vary. Either through Aurora offering a portal for escape, their own demise (however it might have happened), or even a simple blink of their eyes and they're in the hospital. They had been given the briefest explanation last time they were here, but at least Aurora can better answer their questions now. No time constraints nor rushing them off to a dying world, this time!

In the hospital's lobby are several party tables set out with miscellaneous baked goods: croissants, cookies, breads, cake slices, as well as tea and coffee to accompany them - or hot chocolate, for those who are opposed to the other offerings.

Outside the hospital, spring is sprung, it is warm and comfortable. Flowers have bloomed, and everything is in a sharp contrast to Aphaia—there is life within the bubble, and even the myriad wildlife seems to be basking in the glow of it all. Almost as if a celebration of that life itself.

Bees are buzzing, birds are—warking?

⏵ Birds of a Feather ⏴

Etraya has always had its interesting assortment of critters, but there seems to be a particularly colorful array of birds wandering around. Those familiar would know they are named Chocobos, those less so familiar, well, these are some strange looking ostriches, or whatever large bipedal bird equivalent fits. While the birds all seem to be of the same species, there are certainly some variety in their features. Some with friendlier faces and others looking a bit more eagle-like.

They are not particularly congregated in any one spot within Etraya, seeming to stick to groups, while others don't, yet even some are accompanied by newly hatched chicks. The observant might be quick to notice that their colors dictate some level of behavior, or even where their little groups mingle:

Colors	Behavior and habitat
Yellow	Can be found just about anywhere in Etraya, they don't necessarily stick to self-made groups, and typically are more likely to be friendly to people. However, if they are in the company of a newly hatched chick, they can become wary, though easily won over with some greens.
Green	These Chocobos are mostly found in grassy or woodsy areas, almost always in pairs, and sometimes found in the trees themselves. They are more wary than their yellow brethren, though if they see someone struggling or in danger, they are quick to offer assistance in what way they can. Doting like motherhens.
Blue	Most often found by bodies of water, these Chocobo seem content to keep to themselves. Three to a group, they are not so easy to approach without being noticed. Their skill and love of water is clear, however, and it's not unusual to find them flapping about or swimming. Though they may flee to the water if you spook them.
Brown	The most skiddish of the Chocobo, they can be found throughout Etraya, though further away from anything occupied by people. They stick to groups of four, though they have a clear leader who sports blue and green feathers, but seemingly is not of the other two types. Should they catch sight or sound of someone approaching they are like to run off, or they might attempt to defend themselves.
Red	There seems to be only one of these running around. Highly aggressive to anyone who dares to approach it. Best to avoid it. Very likely to hurl comet-like balls of fire your way. Untamable.

The birds all favor these strange cabbage looking plants that can be found out and about in the wilds of Etraya. Some proving a little overeager in their voracity to eat the leafy greens. One should be careful, with those large beaks of theirs.

⏵ Gift Hunt ⏴

It isn't only the birds that have shown up out of nowhere. Small to medium sized boxes, wrapped as if they should be under a tree, and maybe not hidden in a tree, have also appeared. For whatever reason (possibly the same reason eggs were given out over winter) there seems to be gifts hidden all over Etraya! Some in more difficult to find locations (in trees, on top of a roof, on snake island), while others look as though whoever "hid" it gave up halfway through and simply dropped it on the ground and put a leaf over it.

For those who need a little extra help, well, certainly your fellow Etrayans could lend a hand, however there are also perfectly capable birds about for those still left wanting. Certainly that blue chocobo could assist with crossing the river to obtain that perfectly balanced gift on a rock! Or what about that green chocobo roosting in a tree not too far from that gift stuck in the branches because it has entirely too many ribbons?

With that said, there might also be some dangers in trying to take one of the myriad gifts from a chocobo's nest, especially if there's a chick presently sleeping next to it. Perhaps befriending them would be a good idea first, besides, isn't friendship with a big bird the truest gift of all?

On the tag of each and every gift box says the same thing:

To: You
Love: 💋

Each gift has a random assortment within. Some contain candy, others contain alcohol, make-up...maybe even a pair of socks, very perfunctory gifts with very little thought or feeling put into them. However, there is at least one gift that is personally relevant to each character in Etraya. This item will be the equivalent of a 5 point AC reward, and does not have to be found by the person it is intended for.

What better way to break the ice than to give someone their gift which you opened!

⏵ NOTES ⏴

Welcome to Etraya newcomers and happy spring to everyone!

It appears that someone is trying to correct her previous mistake of handing out eggs during the winter holidays, and now there's a hunt for gifts accompanied by a bunch of lovely birds to help out!

Some notes in regard to Chocobos:

-Each color can be tamed except for the red one, he's a free spirit. Should someone wish to harm or attack this chocobo, let us mods know. There is only one of him, after all.

-The others will just take various amounts of work to win over, however, but they are loving and cute companions for those who are willing to put in the effort! And who knows, maybe more colors could arise with time and patience...

-Feel free to pull from all the designs of chocobos throughout the Final Fantasy series. If you fancy FFXII's, for example, there are some that look like that. Variety is the spice of life!

Concerning the personal item, be sure to plot out and get permission when finding someone else's item. This is meant to encourage possible new CR and mingling, but the choice of the item should ultimately be within the hands of the player who is receiving it.

If you are uncertain if your item is appropriate for the reward cost, feel free to ask here!

For all questions relating to this log, please refer to the mod queries comment. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ.

⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ he has important things to do, and the touch of beak against his quill, and it tugs against him is igniting a temper inside of him. shadow doesn't react though, the hedgehog lifts one hand to smack away at it.

seems like someone's usefulness has went down a notch. ]

...

[ it pulls away, wanting to snap again until shadow quickly moves out the way and is by blaze against. gripping her hand, he brings it to his chest for a brief moment before letting it go. it's within a second that he blips out of existence, and the chocobo is looking at her like the next snack. ]

Haah...

[ that only draws a sigh from blaze, but unlike somebody, she's not going to make a significant effort to pawn her responsibility on someone else; she doesn't expect shadow to return and do so either. the chocobo is stepping with each foot as if revving up to go after her. the problem? she's much, much faster than it.

it only takes her a fraction of a second to speed a little further down the path, bending down to collect a handful of the leafy green plant that seems to be growing at the side. ]

[ of course, leafy greens would help this situation, especially with the chocobo stares at blaze curiously and then down to the pile. it leans forward, head bubbling as it sniffs the food before leaning back.

this food isn't running away which is a win for the chocobo, and with a happy, trilling sound from the creature does it reach towards the leafy greens to instead bite down on blaze's hand. lavender and leafy greens, just what a lucky haul? blaze will find that the chocobo will not let up, constantly nipping at her hand between the leafy greens with delight.

the chocobo is now her responsibility, and no matter where she goes, it has the taste for lavender on the tongue which is a luxury few chocobos can afford. ]

Tsk.

[ as it bites down on her hand, there's a sharp intake of breath from blaze, but she quickly swaps one hand out for the other to offer the bird its leafy lunch. she's hoping that it doesn't try to follow her for more food, but maybe once it satiates its hunger it will carry on without issue.

a glance over her shoulder.

where did he go, she wonders... ]

[ stop trying to look for him.

the blue chocobo snaps at her again, following after blaze because she smells mostly like lavender only by hand. even though it eats these leafy greens, it just doesn't hit the same like a head of quills does.

now that it's looking at her headfur...

squawk! ]

[ well she'll regret not doing it if he decides to kick her in the back of the head, but she guesses that isn't what he's doing. perhaps he really did just leave.

anyway, leave her headfur alone. if it lunges, she's quick to duck out of the way, sighing as she stands back upright. ]

What are we going to do with you? And where are your friends?

[ there are only yellow bird-beasts in this area, this seems to be the only blue one. just where did shadow pick it up from? ]

[ the blue chocobo is pretty fast, she'll come to see with as much as it's been chasing shadow to try and keep up with him, it may be a little speedier than other blue birds.

at the question, the blue chocobo bounces, trying to bite at her again, but not her hand, rather it grips at her sleeve to try and tug her along. ]

What, are you going to show me?

[ she'll pull her sleeve from its beak—she's unsure how easily her clothes can be tailored here, but: ]

Go ahead. I'm following.

[ she'll even walk right alongside the bird as it goes, proving that she isn't going anywhere. ]

[ good. happy. the bird is trotting along before walking to a somewhat short building, looking up indicating it wants to go up there.

it hops, flapping its wings, but there's no flight... it has not learned these basics. ]

You want to go inside, do you? Come with me, we'll go together.

[ she'll make her way up to the building, even opening the door to hold it for the bird to clumsily duck its head and trot inside. once inside... the stairs are more familiar to blaze, so it's another door she opens, leading the bird up its steps and to its destination. ]

[ and who do you find on top of the building's roof, shadow the hedgehog who happens to be overseeing what he can. when he turns, catching both blaze and that blue beast, the hedgehog raises a brow. ]

What do you want?

Edited 2025-04-28 01:34 (UTC)

I asked him where his friends were, and this is where he led me.

[ she isn't necessarily saying that their friendship is a fact, but that's exactly what happened, and here she is. the bird alone should be proof of her words. but... what a smart creature. she'll gently pat the beast on its side for a job well done.

she still sighs though, a little troubled. ]

I thought that i would take it back to its family and part ways. I didn't anticipate it would be so fond of you.

[ he shouldn't even be hungry anymore? ]

No. It's hungry.

[ that's all he has to say about that as the bird is staring at him intently in the same way that shadow saw it before. this thing? follows him around because it wants to eat, and since he is... like a giant, black and red spiky morsel to it is why it'll trot over in an attempt to bite. shadow shifts to the side, dodging the bird, and it almost skids off the roof if not for using those claws to stay within bounds. ]

I left it to you.

[ even blaze can't calm this thing down?

again, shadow disappears in an instance.

where did he go! ]

[ well, that went about as expected. in shadow's absence, the chocobo squawks and steps in place, upset that its lavender-scented friend has left once more. blaze is much less distressed, and instead reaches to give the chocobo a pat in hopes of calming it down. ]

Let us go find your family. Do you know where your home is?

[ it seems intelligent enough to understand basic requests, so perhaps if she's a little bit clearer about what she's looking for. she will admit, perhaps 'friends' was too loose. ]

Can you bring me there?

[ there's only so many places he can go, his disappearance only takes him a few feet away, so there's going to be a thumb behind the building.

this is when the chocobo "kwehs" telling blaze to come along, and looking down they can see shadow starting to walk off into an alleyway.

it's a long jump though.

...

how do they get down? ]

[ this chocobo seems to have its heart set on that hedgehog, doesn't it?

its wings are rather small though, so even as she asks, she's doubtful: ]

Can you fly? Here, like this.

[ blaze will ignite the flames she's so accustomed to at her heels and palms, balancing carefully in front of the bird, and over the ledge of the building—hovering. ]

[ ...

...

the chocobo is staring at her in awe, big ol' beady eyes... let a bell as he walks over to blaze, warking at the sight.

it can't make fire, so instead it hops. their leader is also able to apply flames to their attacks, so of course, the creature is now pretty interested in blaze. ]

No? I suppose not.

[ she'll hover over to where the creature warks and kwehs, seeming rather excited, but making no motion with its own wings, gently touching down on the ground. then, she places a hand against it, gently petting it. ]

Let's go. To the stairs then.

[ she'll nod in the direction they came from, intending to lead it there. ]

[ that bird doesn't want to go the back way, instead moving to the edge of the roof with a curious look. it flaps its wings, but isn't sure how to do what blaze did.

fire came from her feet, but that isn't the same for the blue chocobo.

warble, wark. flap, flap, but it seems determined. ]

Must we go that way?

[ blaze peers down the gap between the walls. shadow's silhouette is quickly disappearing, but she's uncertain how capable this bird is of flight. it's eager, certainly, but its hesitation to jump tells her enough.

peering at the bird momentarily, she'll make up her mind. ]

If you insist.

[ with that, she'll lead the way—leaping not down, but across the gap between the buildings. then back again. she bounces back and forth between the walls like a ping pong ball, before finally coming to a stop as her feet gracefully touch the ground. then, she's looking up. to where the chocobo waits. ]

[ oh, this is actually exciting for the bird who can't fly, and instead jumps to follow blaze where its talons dig into the wall to keep it from sliding down too far. it's sloppy jumps, but the bird does make it down with a jump and warble.

yaay, praise it!

looking towards blaze, the chocobo walks over with a peep, whistling as it bounces again to show that it's happy.

now she has to lead the way, where did shadow go! ]

[ wow, she almost expected it to fall—she had a plan in place in case it did, but perhaps she was worrying too much for it. a clever and talented bird. that's what she decides as she pats it on the neck for a job well done. ]

Very good. Now, you saw where he went, yes?

[ at least, she guesses that's what they're doing now. ]

[ of course, the bird is going to start trotting along next to blaze as they take the same path that shadow did. they don't need to see, they only need to smell him, and once they find him in a certain alleyway, they'll find a crater in the center of the path, and shadow standing in the middle of it.

there's a few bolts here and there, but nothing too worrisome as though it's been cleaned up. ]

[ blaze isn't even trying to talk to him. she's just standing back, arms crossed, as the bird rushes forward to greet him, chirping and whistling all the while as he steps right in front of him.

blaze is more interested in the surroundings. what's got shadow acting up? ]

[ it's not that he's acting up, per se. this is just a place that suffered some damage, but nothing that accuses him of doing something now. he notes the way blaze is looking at the messed up ground, and some of the walls suffered damage.

it's a few days old. ]

...You won't let up. What do you want?

[ as if asking the bird will tell him anything. ]

APRIL MINGLE

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